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What does 아니야 mean?

아니야 (a-ni-ya, aniya)

아니야 (aniya) is a common Korean expression used to say "no" or negate something, often in casual conversations among friends.

Korean word 아니야 meaning no or not

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

아니야(a-ni-ya, aniya)

아니야 (aniya) is used to deny or negate a fact or idea. It is an informal form mainly used among friends or close people.

Nuances

  • Casual and friendly informal expression
  • Soft denial or correction rather than strong negation
  • Can be used alone at sentence end for simple negation
  • Not used in formal situations

When to use

Talking with friends, Negating something, Clearing misunderstandings

In context

아니야 is typically used after a subject in the form ‘~이/가 아니야’ to negate, or alone to say ‘no’. It is informal and should not be used in polite or formal contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 그거 사실 아니야.

    geu-geo sa-sil a-ni-ya., geu geo sa sil a ni ya.

    ‘아니야’ follows the subject ‘그거’ to clearly negate it.

  • 아니야, 괜찮아.

    a-ni-ya, gwaen-chan-a., a ni ya, gwaen chan a.

    ‘아니야’ is naturally used alone to deny or refuse.

  • 이거 아니야?

    i-geo a-ni-ya?, i geo a ni ya?

    ‘아니야’ is used informally in a question form.

  • 아니야, 나는 몰라요.

    a-ni-ya, na-neun mol-ra-yo., a ni ya, na neun mol ra yo.

    Mixing informal ‘아니야’ with polite ‘몰라요’ is unnatural.

  • 그거 아니에요.

    geu-geo a-ni-e-yo., geu geo a ni e yo.

    ‘아니에요’ is the polite form of ‘아니야’, suitable in formal contexts.

Quick quiz

  1. In which situation is ‘아니야’ mainly used?

    ‘아니야’는 어떤 상황에서 주로 쓰이나요?(‘a-ni-ya’neuneo-tteonsang-hwang-e-seoju-rosseu-i-na-yo?, ‘aniya’neuneotteonsanghwangeseojurosseuinayo?)

  2. What is the polite form of ‘아니야’?

    ‘아니야’를 존댓말로 바꾸면?(‘a-ni-ya’reuljon-daes-mal-roba-kku-myeon?, ‘aniya’reuljondaesmalrobakkumyeon?)

  3. Which sentence uses ‘아니야’ correctly?

    다음 문장 중 ‘아니야’를 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eummun-jangjung‘a-ni-ya’reulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeummunjangjung‘aniya’reulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)

More meaning guides

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